Happy Independence Day

US Boatworks will be open this MONDAY, JULY 3 from 9-5 pm to serve you before the July 4th holiday. We are closed Tuesday, July 4 and will re-0pen Wednesday, July 5 at 9 am.

This July 4th many families will travel to their favorite lake and take their boat out on the water. As usual, hours of preparation go into getting ready for an outing at the lake. Preparation most likely will include cleaning your boat, tuning up the engine and making boat repairs as necessary. Over the last few years, I have written many articles with tips on getting your boat out on the water.  You can find tips about boat engine preparation from the article I wrote this spring.  Part of that preparation also includes safety measures. Please read our list of boating safety equipment you should always carry with you.  You can even have your boat safety inspected by a trained professional to be sure you meet all the recommended safety measures.  After all that hard work, planning and preparing, we hope everyone has a great holiday and that your boat runs great.

We appreciate all of our valued customers and recognize that our success is only because great boaters come back year after year.  Thank you to all who support US Boatworks.

Boat Maintenance Checklist

Spring is finally here and the sun and warm temperatures are not far behind.  Soon you will want to be out enjoying the sunshine and what better way to do it than getting out on the water? Before you make your first trip to the lake this year, it’s a good idea to make sure your  sterndrive engine or outboard motor is top running shape. Below is a list of some items to review before taking your boat out. This list does not represent everything you should check but does give good suggestions of where you should start. Please consult a certified marine repair mechanic prior to working on your boat motor.  It’s also a good idea to consult your owner’s manual for maintenance instructions specific to your boat model.

CHECKLIST:

Cables, Belts & HosesAlways check for cracking that occurred during winter storage.
Control cables with cracks or swelling on the outer layer may indicate need to replace.Belts should fit tightly around the pulleys to prevent slipping. A worn belt may have a black substance near the pulley & also may fit loosely.
Contact your boat repair center or order cables online to replace yourself.

Electrical ConnectionsCharge your battery and test it so you can be sure it will hold a charge. Electrical systems should be routinely inspected by a qualified technician.Review electrical connections for cleanliness and tightness. Check for corrosion which is often a sign that the connection may not be safe. Remove terminals and use a wire brush to clean connections and cable ends.

Propellers & HullsInspect propellers for damage. Verify the propeller is properly secured.
If you experience unwanted vibration, poor performance and damage to the propulsion system, your prop may be damaged & need to be replaced.
Inspect the Hull – look for cracks & distortions. Clean the outside of your boat using an environmentally-safe cleaner.

FuelCheck your fuel lines for damage. Signs of damaged hoses can be either cracking, hard hoses or very soft hoses. Remember to check fuel hoses, connections and tank surfaces.
Insure clamps and fitting are secured.
Ensure the engine, exhaust and ventilation systems are also all functioning properly.

Fluid Levels
Check all fluid levels including
Engine oil- Change the oil if this was not done during winterizing. Include a new oil filter & change drive lubricants
Coolant
Power trim reservoir
Power Steering Fluid

Safety GearLifejackets need to be in good condition It’s important for passengers to have access to the correct size lifejacket for their body weight.
Onboard fire extinguishers must be the correct class for your boat, fully charged.

TrailerInspect trailer wheels, verify that tires are inflated to proper level.
Check that trailer straps are not worn and are holding properly.
Verify that your trailer is the proper size for your boat.

Go here for a more extensive boat maintenance checklist.

- See more at: http://www.boatengine.com/checklist-for-boat-maintenance/#sthash.PbaGl0n8.dpuf

Which Outboard Motor Oil Is Best?

2 and 4 stroke motor oil is readily available at discount stores or automotive stores.  The price is slightly cheaper than the OEM boat engine oil so we often get the question:  "Can I safely use the aftermarket or generic oil in my outboard motor?"

The bottom line answer is: You get what you pay for.
The manufacturers of the generic oils will tell you that their oils are safe of your 2 or 4 stroke outboard motor. While this may be true but is it the best oil for your outboard?

Many of the budget lubricants use cut rate ingredients to achieve a low price point. They have also manufactured this oil to work with a chain saw, weed eater, lawn mower, car and more.  By covering many different motor types, the choice additives needed for your specific motor are missing. Genuine Evinrude/Johnson and Mercury lubricants are blended with the highest quality base stock and additive packages. The choice of ingredients is driven by the demands of the 2-cycle or 4-cycle outboard engine.  These additives prevent corrosion, reduce foaming and keep your engine properly lubricated.

Our recommendation is to always choose genuine boat motor oil specifically manufactured for your engine for optimum performance. A few extra dollars now could prevent huge repair bills later.

You can pick up genuine Mercury Oil or Evinrude Outboard Oil, lubes and boat parts at our store anytime. Bring in your refillable container and we will sell you bulk oil at a discount.

Review Recommended Care from Mercury for your Mercury Engine.

Underwater Rescue Team Relies on US Boatworks

KMBC 9 News recently featured an article about the work of volunteers at the Underwater Rescue and Recovery team of Lee's Summit.  These awesome individuals train every month to be sure their skills in water rescue are in top shape.  The team not only helps in the Lee's Summit area but assists in the greater Kansas City Metro area as well as out of town rescues.  With heavy rains in the area the last few days, we realize how important this crew is to the safety of those caught in these frightening storm waters.  We wonder how many lives have been saved as a result of these volunteers.

 The Underwater Rescue Team must insure their equipment is always in top working order so they my respond at a moments notice.  Equipment failure at anytime could mean the difference of saving a life or not.  The Team relies on US Boatworks to keep their Mercury outboard motors in top running condition.  We are proud to serve the team and love that they understand the value of using Mercury Certified Master Mechanics.  Our knowledgable staff has been happy to keep them safely on the water over the years.  If the Underwater Rescue Team relies on US Boatworks, shouldn't you?

  Video: KMBC 9 News & Underwater Recovery and Rescue

Open Saturdays 9-Noon

Its going to be unseasonably warm this weekend. It feels like spring is in the air as our phones are ringing off the hook and customers are lining up to get their boats ready for the season.  Since our customers need us, we will be open on Saturdays beginning February 27.  Normally we wait for the 1st weekend in March to open our doors on Saturdays but we strive to meet the needs of our customers.  So, please come down and see us tomorrow from 9am – Noon.

Bring your boat in for that repair you have been putting off.  Your turn around time in late February is much shorter than what it would be should you bring your boat down in May.  Eliminate the stress of having your boat at the shop when the warm temperatures hit.  It will be lake weather before you know it and you won’t have to disappoint your family by not having your boat ready this season.  Plus you’ll feel good knowing you had your repairs and maintenance done at Kansas City’s #1 boat repair shop.

While you are at the shop, ask about our Mercury Outboards for sale.  New specials and rebates just started and they won’t be around long.  US Boatworks pricing on outboard motors usually beats the big guys plus we offer unsurpassed service and knowledge that you won’t find elsewhere.  Once you give us a try, you will understand why US Boatworks is a trusted place to buy Kansas City outboard motors.

Tune up your outboard motor

The sun is finally shining and the promise of warmer temperatures is here. 
Tuning up that outboard motor this spring may be the right weekend project for
you.  US Boatworks has all the boat
parts need to tune up your motor.  Our top sellers are the Evinrude
Carb Kits - item #396701 to 439076.  If these aren't the part numbers you
need, we carry all Carburetor Kits for Mercury and Evinrude Outboard motors. 

Once you have your Carb Kit in hand, you will need some gear lube too. 
We stock an recommend genuine
Evinrude and Mercury
lube.  Other brands are inferior and will only cause you
trouble down the road.  It's worth the extra few bucks now to us genuine
manufacturer oil and save your motor from damage.  Popular part #s are
778749 HPF XR and0778755 HPF PRO.  These items are always in stock so feel
free to come by and stock up. 

Don't forget, if you are missing your motor manual, we have
Clymer boat motor
manuals for every outboard motor imaginable.  These manuals will assist
you in your repair and maintenance efforts. 

Check back soon for more tips on tuning up your outboard motor.

Boat Parts Blog back on line

Due to some techincal difficulties, our blog has been down for about 3o days. If I was not so computer challenged it would not have taken 30 days to figure out how to get out blog back on line. But, here it is, the long awaited return of the Boat Parts, Repair and Maintenance Tips blog.

While our blog site was down, boaters were still getting out on the water. Despite a cool August in the Mid-West, boating traffic still remains high. When asking our customers what makes 2009 a better boating year than previous years, we most often hear that getting an existing boat back out on the water for the family vacation is a less expensive way to have family fun that flying somewhere, renting hotel rooms, renting a car...

The key to getting out on the water is preparing your boat each time before you go out. US Boatworks has a great summary of
boat preparation tips
you can check out. Should you find that your boat needs
boat parts or
boat service, check them out as well.